A video signal recording and reproducing apparatus comprises at least two pairs of video heads respectively mounted at different positions on diametrically opposite sides of a rotary member rotating at a predetermined speed and recording and reproducing video signals on and from parallel tracks disposed obliquely relative to the tape longitudinal direction of a tape, a switching circuit for selectively rendering at least one pair of video heads among the at least two pairs of video heads operative substantially in responsive correspondence with each of at least two recording and reproducing modes, and a tape driving system for driving the tape at different speeds in conformance with each of said recording and reproducing modes The pairs of video heads operating in correspondence with each mode have their track widths respectively determined for forming tracks contiguously without gaps therebetween on the tape traveling at a speed conforming to the mode

Apparatus for recording and reproducing video signals at selectable different tape traveling speeds from a plurality of pairs of video heads

A tape driving system is adapted to be used in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus having at least one rotating head for tracing tracks on which a video signal has been recorded. The tracks lie obliquely with respect to the tape longitudinal direction. The tape driving system comprises a capstan for driving the tape, a DC motor for driving the capstan, a circuit for forming a pulse-like voltage of a predetermined level over a predetermined interval of time at a given frequency, and a circuit for selectively applying either the pulse-like voltage from the forming circuit or a continuous driving voltage to the DC motor depending on the reproducing mode. The pulse-like voltage is applied to the motor when in a slow motion reproducing mode to intermittently rotate the motor and cause the capstan to intermittently shift the tape.

Slow motion tape driving system in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus

Insert and assemble editing of video signals are carried out using a VTR having helically scanning rotary record/playback heads. Following the recording of a first video signal in slant tracks on the tape, the tape is stopped at an edit point where recording of a second video signal is to commence. Then the tape is run reversely while control signals associated with the locations of the tracks are reproduced. These control signals are counted and the tape is stopped when a predetermined number of such signals have been counted. Thereafter the tape is advanced to a noiseless-still-picture position, based on a counted number of oscillations associated with rotation of the tape capstan, at which an acceptably noise-free picture is obtained, notwithstanding that the head scan of the rotary heads does not completely coincide with the slant tracks when the tape is stopped. After this, the tape is run at normal speed, and when the tape reaches the edit point, the VTR begins to record the second signal, which is at that time in step with the previously-recorded first video signal.

Video tape editor

A video signal speed-change reproducing system reproduces video signals which are recorded by alternately a pair of rotary recording heads mounted on diametrically opposite sides of a rotating member. The video signals are recorded on video tracks disposed contiguously and obliquely relative to the tape longitudinal direction. The recording heads have gaps of mutually different azimuth angles. In the reproducing system, the video signal recorded on the tape is reproduced by means of a pair of reproducing heads for exclusively reproducing which are mounted on diametrically opposed sides of a rotational member. The tape is caused to travel at a speed different from a tape speed for normal reproduction (and recording), or to stop. The reproducing heads have gaps of the same azimuth angle as the azimuth angle of either one of the recording heads.

Video signal, speed-change reproducing system

A video signal, speed-change reproducing system uses a tape on which a video signal has been recorded. The recorded tracks are disposed contiguously and obliquely relative to the longitudinal tape direction. The tracks are recorded and formed by a plurality of rotating heads having gaps of mutually different azimuth angles. The tape travels at a selected speed V represented by the equation ##EQU1## wherein Vo is the tape speed for normal reproduction (and recording), and n is a positive integer. For reproduction, a plurality of rotating reproducing heads have gaps of mutually different azimuth angles which are the same as the azimuth angles used at the recording time. These heads successively scan the tracks of the tape to reproduce the recorded video signal. The rotating reproducing head is controlled to rotate in such a phase relation that each time instant when the level of the reproduced signal becomes a minimum value is within or in the vicinity of a vertical blanking period.

In a video signal recording and reproducing apparatus having one or more rotary heads for recording or reproducing video signals in tracks extending obliquely across a magnetic tape as the latter is transported or driven about a guide drum and a fixed head for recording or reproducing control signals at spaced locations along the tape corresponding to the tracks, the tape is automatically brought to rest with its last recorded or reproduced track at a predetermined position relative to the path of the rotary heads whenever driving of the tape is halted, as for the still reproduction of a television picture or for the editing of the video signals recorded on the tape.

Tsuguo Miki

Papers

Magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus for videotape editing